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Arms maker expanding, 120 more jobs in Bryan

Staff report

POSTED:January 28, 2014 1:00 p.m.

Daniel Defense will expand its operations at the Interstate Centre in Black Creek in a $20 million project expected to add 120 new jobs over the next five years, Gov. Nathan Deal announced Thursday afternoon.“Georgia’s strong manufacturing sector has supported Daniel Defense for more than a decade,” Deal said in a release. “I have no doubt that Georgia’s No. 1 business climate and highly qualified workforce will continue to help keep innovative companies such as Daniel Defense at the forefront of the industry.”Daniel Defense CEO Marty Daniel said the company he started in 2000 in Chatham County looks forward to future growth and “continuing to add jobs and investment in Georgia.” “I am very pleased to announce this expansion of Daniel Defense in Bryan County,” Daniel said in the release. “Thanks to the loyalty of our customers, end users, vendors and employees, the company has become an industry leader in designing, manufacturing and providing small arms solutions to the marketplace.”Daniel Defense, which manufactures parts for assault rifles, moved all of its operations from Chatham County to Black Creek in 2009. The company had layoffs in 2009, but has since recovered and expanded its operations into South Carolina in 2011, reportedly because it received better incentives there. Attempts to reach Daniel on Friday were unsuccessful, but the Georgia Department of Economic Development said the company expects to employ a total of 284 “Georgians” by 2018. The Development Authority of Bryan County also worked with the state on the company’s expansion at the Interstate Centre. “We are thrilled that Daniel Defense has decided to expand in Bryan County’s Interstate Centre,” said Steve Croy, DABsC chairman. “Daniel Defense’s expansion is a testament to the qualified and available workforce we have in the Bryan County area. We look forward to working with Daniel Defense as they continue to grow jobs and create new investment in the community.”The company will take advantage of the state’s QuickStart training program, the release said.